How to Say ‘Please; I request (polite)’ in Japanese
お願いします
おねがいします
💬 Usage Tip: [お願いします] is a polite request: “please.” Combine with many nouns/verbs. It literally means “I ask/favor you.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, saying [お願いします] is a polite lubricant—used for requests, greetings, and even when handing money/documents.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
honorific prefix (o-)
Polite prefix used in set phrases like お願いします.
お願いします。ゆっくり話してください。
Please. Please speak slowly.
願いねがい
[negai]
request; favor (noun stem)
願い means a “request/wish.” With お + 願い + します, it becomes a polite “please/thank you in advance.”
面接の練習をお願いします。
Please help me practice for the interview.
しし
[shi]
do (humble/polite) (stem)
し is the stem of する. In お願いします it forms the verb phrase “to request/ask.”
よろしくお願いします。自己紹介します。
Nice to meet you. I’ll introduce myself.
ますます
[masu]
polite present ending (makes it polite)
ます makes a verb polite. します = “do” (polite). Used in formal greetings and requests.
これからもお願いします。
I look forward to your continued support.
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